Day 24 - Priesthood Established - Exodus 28:1 - 30:38

Priestly Garments from Gen. 28

2024 Read the Bible in a Year

January 24, 2024

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Please note!

Dear partners in this study. 

I have gotten behind in the posting of reflections. I will be back-filling the past few days as I keep up with those who are following the calendar. So I will be doing one posting of the calendar posted reading and also back-fill the past days that need reflections.

Peace+ 

DE

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Readings for Today: Exodus 28:1 - 30:38

Day 24 - Priesthood Established

Prayer:

We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. 

That it may please You that You set apart good people for ordained ministry who are filled with true knowledge and understanding of Your word and that by their preaching, holy worship, pastoral care for all people, and living a good life are blessed by You. 

Care for their families as they journey with these ordained.

Amen

Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer. Edited by DE.

Background & Reflections:

Since the gathering of faith communities, there have been people “set aside” to lead worship and the community who are grounded in God for this task. They have a variety of titles as Pastor, Rev, Rabbi, Imam, Deacon, Lama, Elders, Priests, Bishops, Preachers, Pastors, Presbyters, Ministers, and many others. (Google Generative AI and Wikipedia) 

These people (and their families) work hard, with mostly low pay, and some work second and third jobs outside of their faith community to make ends meet. Most are righteous and dedicated to God and their communities in loving and serving them. Regardless, it is a thankless work that changes individuals and the world for the better.

In this reading today, God wants the Tabernacle to be led by Aaron (Moses' brother) and his family/tribe. The worship clothing for these chosen are expensively arrayed with the most valued of clothing and jewelry. They are expensive,  ornate, symbolic, and theatrical which leads this community to perform something special … the worship of Almighty God.

Worship is to be the best of what the humans can produce and do. This is reflective of how important this activity is to the people of God as instructed by God.

The people set aside for this task are special in the eyes of God and the community. These people then are consecrated in a ceremony lasting seven days.

In summary,

• Chapter 28 describes how to dress Aaron’s family for this task.

• Chapter 29 describes the consecration ceremony.

• Chapter 30 describes other items and instructions for worship.

Question of the Day:

If you attend a faith community, how do your faith leaders serve you?

Tomorrow's Readings: Exodus 31:1 - 34:35

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2024 Read the Bible in a Year is a featured Bible Study to inspire spirituality. This plan has been used on The Bible in Time blog site in the past and now includes new material and reflections.

By Dave Eitland. Free for faith community use. Thanks, Katheryn for the editorial help. This was published on January 26, 2024, in Oregon, USA.